That's because IFA, unlike most trade shows in the United States, is geared for the public, not just for industry insiders. People pay good money to be entertained at the show, and electronics companies of course hope they'll impress attendees enough to get them to buy some new products afterward.

Buying products can be a matter of looking at specifications and clicking a "buy" button on a Web site. But for 3D TVs, the latest smartphones, and a new generation of tablets, customers are much more likely to benefit from experiencing the product in person.

Check out our IFA photo gallery for a look at how companies strut their stuff at the show.

About the author

Stephen Shankland has been a reporter at CNET since 1998 and covers browsers, Web development, digital photography and new technology. In the past he has been CNET's beat reporter for Google, Yahoo, Linux, open-source software, servers and supercomputers. He has a soft spot in his heart for standards groups and I/O interfaces.
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